Bell Textron has finalized the first phase of SPINE upgrades for the US Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopter fleet.
The SPINE program—formerly referred to as the Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade—aims to modernize the structural components and systems of H-1 aircraft, boosting their lethality and operational readiness in response to emerging threats.
Upgrade activities are being conducted at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas. The company has delivered the first upgraded helicopters to Naval Air Station Patuxent River for testing and evaluation.
Results from these assessments will support ongoing development and be applied to subsequent upgrades. The work, which took approximately 19 months, involved drive system enhancements, repair and overhaul operations in Fort Worth, as well as electrical system and fuselage modifications.
